Although you may have heard or seen something of the wonderful meeting of Pope Francis with the charismatic renewal in Rome this past June, I want to share what I see as its significance for us.

There were indeed 52,000 people from 55 different nations in the Olympic Stadium. The available seats sold out in 45 days (Because of the large stage and video screens only 52,000 of the 80,000 seats were available.) It was a big and fervent crowd with full participation in singing and praise.

There were four main talks during the two-day event. On Sunday, Cardinal Comastri spoke on conversion and Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa spoke on faith. On Monday, a national holiday in Italy – although I couldn’t find anyone who knew why it was a holiday – I spoke on the gift of the Spirit and Salvatore Martinez, the leader of the Italian renewal gave a talk on evangelization. I felt that the Lord helped me a good deal with my talk. The organizers asked me to lead a repentance session and then pray for a greater outpouring of the Spirit. My interpreter was excellent and the talk really flowed. Thanks be to God!

Of course, the high point of the event was Pope Fran-cis’ visit to the stadium. When the local organizers informed him about the convocation, he replied, “I’ll come!” He came not just to give a talk but to par-ticipate in the praise and worship. It was very moving to see the Pope walking into the stadium warmly greet-ing people and then to see him with arms upraised fervently singing a song that he requested. He knew the song from his visits with the renewal while he was Archbishop of Buenos Aries, Argentina and served as Episcopal Advisor to the renewal there. Another very moving moment was when he knelt down on the stage to receive prayer. He remained kneeling for a long time while everyone in the stadium stretched out their hands to pray for him, singing in the Spirit.

As representatives of different groups – young people, priests, families, the handicapped – greeted him, the Pope interjected, “You’re forgetting an important group – grandparents!” He has often spoken of the important role his own grandmother played in his life. He then gave a short impromptu meditation on how Simeon and Anna were moved by the Holy Spirit to recognize the baby Jesus and prophesy about him. He joked about how Anna “canonized” gossip by speaking to everyone about the child! He spoke about the freedom in the Spirit that can be characteristic of grandparents and the wisdom they hold for the Church.

Proclaiming Jesus through Catholic Renewal and Evangelization

August 2014

Dear Partners in the Mission,A letter from Ralph Martin

continued on pg 2

Inside this Issue

You Cannot Give What You Do Not Have

Page 4

The GatheringPage 6

On the RoadPage 8

Ralph greets Pope Francis.

©L’Osservatore Romano

He shared how when he first met the renewal in Argentina it seemed to him to be something like a Samba dance school but as he got to know it he saw what a great gift it was for the Church. He acknowledged that organization was necessary but cautioned the renewal not to over organize and try to put the Holy Spirit in a cage! Most significantly he said: “I expect that you share with all in the Church the grace of Baptism in the Holy Spirit (the expression that is read in the Acts of the Apostles).”

May we do so!!

Pope Francis also remarked how he used to see us carrying small pocket bibles in the early days of the Renewal but he doesn’t see that very much anymore. He urged us to again carry Bibles in our purses, bags and pockets!

As he began to leave the stadium he greeted a number of us and while there was no time for any real conversation it was a great blessing to speak briefly with him and shake his hand. It was a joy to do so next to Patti Mansfield – one of the students on that Duquesne weekend which began the renewal and a regular guest on The Choices We Face – and Sr. Briege McKenna who, at various times during the convocation, led prayer for repentance, conversion, blessing and healing.

A small highlight for me was actually seeing the Pope get into his small Ford Focus to drive back to the Vatican. I had heard that he drives a Focus and was delighted to actually see it!

During the convocation, I often recalled the memorable meeting of the renewal with Pope Paul VI in St. Peter’s Basilica in 1975 when the Pope declared that the renewal was a “chance” for the Church. I think with Pope Francis the Church is being given a “second chance” to avail ourselves of the power of the Holy Spirit. This is so vitally necessary if we are to successfully confront the international pagan culture’s growing hostility to Christ and the Church.

I also thought back to 1967 when a small group of Duquesne University students rediscovered the power of the Holy Spirit. That experience birthed the charismatic renewal which has impacted more than 120 million Catholics around the world.

Finally, I thought of what happened in 1968, a turning point in our culture, when the sexual revolution powerfully manifested itself, attacks on the teaching of the Church — from within and without — gained in force, and the rejection of our Judeo-Christian heritage accelerated. May this “second chance” of 2014 be received by the worldwide Church so we will be better prepared for the challenges ahead.

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It was a delight to return from Rome just in time to share this experience at our annual gathering of friends and supporters. More than 280 of you joined us for an inspiring and informative weekend. For a recap, turn to page 6. We hope you can join us for next year’s Gathering on May 29-31, 2015 when we will be celebrating 35 years of doing the Lord’s work. Mark your calendar!

Your brother in Christ,

Ralph Martin

P.S. The full text of the Pope’s remarks is posted on the home page of our website. Visit www.RenewalMinistries.net and click on the relevant link under “Bulletin” in the right side bar.

Faithful Friends, continued from page 1

Pope Francis told the organizers “I don’t just want to have an audience with you; I want to come to the Stadium and participate with you.” What a joy to see the Pope praying and sing-ing fervently with hands upraised. He asked the music ministry to play a favorite song he remembered from meeting with the Charismatic Renewal in Argentina.

Speaking to 52,000 people from 55 different countries was challenging. With the help of the Holy Spirit and an excellent interpreter, Ralph delivered an inspiring talk on the Gift of the Spirit. Huge TV screens made it possible for all to see.

©L’Osservatore Romano

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Pope F ranc i s waved as he departed from t h e O l y m p i c Stadium in his Ford Focus.

After Ralph gave a talk on the Gift of the Spirit, the organizers asked him to lead a time of repentance to prepare for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

After prayer for a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit it was a time for joy, gratitude and solidarity. From left to right: Patti Mansfield, Salvatore Martinez (President of the Italian Renewal), Michelle Moran (Chairperson of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services), Ralph and Anne Martin, Charles Whitehead (England), Sr. Nancy Kellar (United States) and Shayne Bennett (Australia) – all friends in the Lord.

©L’Osservatore RomanoRalph, Sr. Briege McKenna and Patti Mansfield were together for the encounter with Pope Francis.

©L’Osservatore Romano

Everyone in the Olympic Stadium prayed fer-vently for Pope Francis as he remained kneeling for a long time, receiving the prayer.

©L’Osservatore Romano

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“

By Sr. Ann Shields, SGL

ers to open themselves to the transforming power of Christ’s love. The old saying “you cannot give what you do not have” is certainly true! God is waiting to draw each of us closer to Himself that we may know and experience the love of Christ and thus be a light to all those “stumbling in the darkness.” If that doesn’t happen in our personal lives, what do we have to offer to others? Obvi-ously, I am not saying that we need to be saints before we can evangelize. What I am saying is that we need to live our daily lives drawing grace from the merciful heart of Christ so that we have some-thing to give—not just our ideas, or programs or events—but the life of Christ growing within us.

If, in the planning that awaits us, we com-mit ourselves more confi dently to a pastoral activity that gives personal and communal prayer its proper place, we shall be observ-ing an essential principle of the Christian view of life: the primacy of grace. There is a temptation which perennially besets every spiritual journey and pastoral work: that of thinking that the results depend on our abil-ity to act and to plan. God of course asks us to really cooperate with his grace and there-fore invites us to invest all our resources of intelligence and energy in serving the cause of the Kingdom. But it is fatal to forget that “without Christ we can do nothing” (Jn 15:5).

It is prayer which roots us in this truth. It constantly reminds us of the primacy of Christ and, in union with him, the primacy of the interior life and holiness. When this principle is not respected, is it any wonder that pastoral plans come to nothing and leave us with a disheartening sense of frustration? (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 38).

May our ongoing “yes” to the Lord in prayer and service bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God.

”

There is a

temptation which

perennially besets

every spiritual journey

and pastoral work: that

of thinking that the

results depend on our

ability to act

and to plan.

You Cannot Give What You Do Not Have FOR THE LAST three years, I have returned again and again to the passage in the Gospel of Mark which reads: “And he went up into the hills and called to him those whom he desired; and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have author-ity to cast out demons” (Mk 3:13-15).

Read those verses over a few times and note that Christ called those men not, fi rst of all to equip them for apostolic service, but to be with Him!

In these days when the New Evangelization is being so emphatically stressed—and necessarily so—let us not make the mistake of putting “the cart before the horse.” When the evangelist Mark wrote, he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and it is obvious from these verses that Christ wanted a personal relationship with each one. Then he would give them gifts for ministry.

Today we are so action-oriented and goal-cen-tered that we often approach evangelization in the same way, organizing committees and meetings as the fi rst steps in planning whether it is for a parish, a school, a diocese, etc. I fi rmly believe that such an approach will not bear good fruit!

God wants a relationship with each one of us; a relationship sustained by daily prayer, regular reading of the Scriptures, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Rec-onciliation. I urge you to read St. John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation regarding the Jubilee Year, 2000, Novo Millennio Ineunte. In sections 16-28 and sections 29-41, the Pope outlines the call to holi-ness for all of us in the Church and in a particular way for those who serve the Church in some capac-ity and for our parishes. He marks out a clear path to follow so that our work of evangelization may be fruitful. In many ways this document has been foundational for my own prayer life and a great aid to growth in the spiritual life during the last 15 years. Take the time to read the whole letter. In addition to fi nding practical help, you will be inspired. (You can fi nd the document online at www.vatican.va.)

The whole goal of evangelization is to point to the path by which each and every person may come to know and love Christ and encourage oth-

+

From the HeartENCOUNTER

4

The Choices We Face is distributed by national and local cable networks, independent broadcast stations and inter-national satellites. To fi nd out when the program airs in your area, please visit www.RenewalMinistries.net and click on TV Shows.

Each week, Ralph and Peter explore important and inspiring topics surrounding faith and life in the Catholic Church.

This month their guests will include:

Remember to Watch

Dcn. Mike Thoennes and Mary Hagar: Maintenance to Mission

Please Pray...

for our evangelization opportunities this month in Romania, Gambia, Rwanda and Slovenia.

that Christians in every nation in the world may joyfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

for the prayer intentions of all our supporters and their family members, especially as they face the challenges of illness and economic uncertainty.

��

�

Save the Date2nd Annual

U.S. Lift Jesus Higher Rally

Toledo, OHNovember 8th

2014

www.LJHRToledo.com

Mary Bielski: All4Him

Dcn. Bob Ervin: New Leaven

Fr. John Riccardo: Encountering Jesus

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The annual Renewal Ministries Gathering was designed to encourage participants to grow in holi-ness and equip them for mission. The event, which drew 282 people from 22 states and four countries, included inspiring talks and evangelization workshops.

The talks were recorded and are available on CD. For more information or to order, please visit: www.RenewalMinistries.net.

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the Gathering next year on May 29-31, 2015. We will be cel-ebrating the 35th anniversary of Renewal Ministries.

2014The Gathering

Speakers

Workshops

Ralph Martin provided high-lights of the Pope’s remarks on June 1 at the Charismatic

Convocation in Rome. He also encouraged participants to be open to all the dimensions of

the Spirit’s working, the contemplative graces which

come from Pentecost.

“The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to us to draw us into intimacy with God,” said Sr.

Ann Shields, SGL. “These gifts enable us to see as He sees, to hear what He hears and to

have the grace and the courage to judge as He judges

and act as He acts.”

To challenge participants to evangelize, Lavinia Spirito

borrowed the popular phrase “just do it.”

Pete Burak reported that there are now seven fl edgling chapters of i.d. 9:16.

Dr. Peter Williamson presented the historical evidence to answer those who question the existence of Jesus.

Chris Burak conducted a hands-on workshop to help attendees develop the skills to engage in loving, respectful,

rational conversations regarding the faith.6

“God is pouring out his Spirit in a new and special way,” said Lloyd Greenhaw. “We

are seeing tremendous conversions and revival in

Africa.” Recently, the Green-haws had the opportunity to pray with the members of the

Ugandan parliament.

Missions

Pentecost Vigil Mass

Everyone was deeply moved when a sister from Asia sang

“Hail Mary” in her native language.

Tom Edwards provided a glimpse of Renewal Ministries’ missionary work in Tanzania

where there is a strong infl uence of witchcraft.

John Kazanjian shared about the joy and privilege of being a Country Coordinator. He

also shared the experience of praying for a blind man whose

sight was restored.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the Gathering was celebrating the Pentecost Vigil at Christ the King. To read the prophecies that were given visit our website, www.RenewalMinistries.net.

On Pentecost, the Renewal Ministries staff surprised Ralph by celebrating the anniversary of his baptism in the Holy Spirit. Every-one prayed over him for a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Enjoying the Sunday morning session are Ralph and Anne, along with Sr. Ann Shields, SGL and Sr. Mary Boersen, SGL.

7

www.renewalministries.netP.O. Box 1426 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 phone 734-662-1730 In Canada P.O. Box 400 Station U Toronto, ON M8Z 5Y8 phone 416-251-4255

On the Road

In the United StatesEpiscopal AdvisorArchbishop Robert J. Carlson, St. Louis, MO

Chairman of the BoardDeacon Dan Foley

PresidentRalph Martin

In CanadaEpiscopal AdvisorCardinal Thomas Collins, Toronto

Chairman of the BoardMsgr. Gregory Smith, Vancouver

Renewal Ministries is a Catholic ministry committed to renewal and evangelization in the Church. It seeks to proclaim Jesus Christ through its TV and radio outreaches, as well as through books, tapes, conferences, retreats and other international evangelistic events.

Editor DesignRose Wingfield Cynthia Rutherford

© 2014 by Renewal Ministries

R e n e w a l M i n i s t r i e s

To convert somebody go

and take them by the hand

and guide them.

—St. Thomas Aquinas

“”

August 2014

North Little Rock, ARArkansas Catholic Charismatic ConferenceAugust 1-3Ralph Martinwww.arkcc.org/conference

Mission to SloveniaDon and Pat Turbitt and TeamAugust 6-20Contact: Kathleen at 734-662-1730 ext. 132 or kkittle@renewalministries.net

Ann Arbor, MIi.d.9:16 Disciples’ NightAugust 7Speaker: Heidi BrattonRSVP on i.d.9:16 Facebook page or intentionaldisciples916@gmail.com

Mission to RomaniaTiberius “Tibi” Majoros and TeamAugust 8-16Contact: Kathleen at 734-662-1730 ext. 132 or kkittle@renewalministries.net

Washington, DCGathering of Movements and New Communities in the Church ConferenceAugust 9Ralph Martinconference@nsc-chariscenter.org

Grass Lake, MIPine Hills Girls CampAugust 10-16Debbie Herbeck and Camp StaffContact: dherbs24@gmail.com

Mission to GambiaEmmanuel Tamakloe and TeamAugust 25-31Contact: Kathleen at 734-662-1730 ext. 132 or kkittle@renewalministries.net

Mission to RwandaLloyd and Nancy Greenhaw and TeamAugust 15-26Contact: Kathleen at 734-662-1730 ext. 132 or kkittle@renewalministries.net

September 2014

Ann Arbor, MIi.d.9:16 Disciples’ NightSeptember 4Speaker: Michael TimmisRSVP on i.d.9:16 Facebook page or intentionaldisciples916@gmail.com

* Not open to the public

facebook.com/CatholicRenewalMinistriesfacebook.com/id916 @id916

@srannshieldssgl@DebbieHerbeck

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